Facebook employees have been spotted giving the company's Portal video calling devices five-star ratings on Amazon.
This comes after The Verge spotted a Twitter comment from New York Times columnist Kevin Roose who suggested that the reviewers' names were strangely similar to those employed at Facebook.
This information suggests that Facebook has been bending the review rating of the product in the company's favour.
However, a follow up tweet by Facebook's VR chief Andrew Bosworth claimed that the reviews would be taken down, and were not "cordinated nor directed" by Facebook itself.
https://twitter.com/boztank/status/1085966442820886528
Facebook launched the Portal and Portal+ in October last year.
Feature image:...

A few days ago, we were excited to report that cotton seeds had sprouted on China's Chang'e 4 spacecraft, currently stationed on the dark side of the Moon. But the glee was short lived.
The sprouts have now withered away and died, announced Chongqing University, the academics responsible for the experiment.
It's not because the spacecraft is a terrible gardener either. The Moon just isn't a great place to grow cotton -- or anything -- apparently.
Unlike Earth, the satellite doesn't have a dense atmosphere to support life, and as a result has practically no temperature regulation.
Even though the cotton, together with...

A sequel to the original 1984 Ghostbusters movie is officially in the works, according to a report.
Entertainment Weekly exclusively revealed the movie in an interview with director Jason Reitman, who happens to be the son of the original movie director, Ivan.
"This is the next chapter in the original franchise. It is not a reboot. What happened in the ‘80s happened in the ‘80s, and this is set in the present day," Reitman told the magazine.
While there's not much information about the finer details just yet, a short teaser revealed that the movie is expected to premier in late 2020.
Entertainment...

Netflix has announced a new comedy series called Space Force.
Based on US President Donald Trump's real-life proposed Space Force, the show will follow the US armed forces' space division, which is meant to defend satellites from attack, "or something".
"This is the story of the men and women who have to figure it out", the trailer adds.
Not much is known about the plot at present, but the show will star Steve Carrell, and will be produced by The Office showrunners.
The date of release also remains a mystery.
Feature image; screenshot, Netflix via YouTube

Search and Cortana on Windows 10 are no longer one in the same, after Microsoft separated the two in the company's latest Insider build of the OS.
The two elements in Build 18317 are now displayed as two distinct tools which "will enable each experience to innovate independently to best serve their target audiences and use cases," the company explained on its website.
This means that users can access Search in Windows 10 or use the Cortana assistant independently, rather than having them within the same bar and accessed through the same icon.
According to Microsoft, "you’ll find clicking the search box in...

Just hours after releasing the music video for her song "Twerk", hip-hop artist Cardi B took to Instagram to share her views on President Donald Trump and the US government shutdown, which is now entering its 27th day.
In the Instagram clip, the rapper admits that she is "scared" and believes that something needs to be done. She also remarks that America's currently a "hell hole".
https://www.instagram.com/p/BstmkvDFGAm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
With over 8.6-million views and multiple shares across social networks, Cardi's rant got people talking.
"I think this Cardi B should give the State of the Union instead," wrote George Takei on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/RealLifeKaz/status/1085754234216349696
https://twitter.com/GeorgeTakei/status/1085683389955563521
https://twitter.com/behindyourback/status/1085681967369240581
https://twitter.com/FolukeFiasco/status/1085708773006569473
https://twitter.com/RosaF1800/status/1085811473417412608
https://twitter.com/Matoke_/status/1085805935682031622
Even US politicians debated...

A future version of WhatsApp may be secured, locked and unlocked by your fingerprint, according to data mined by WABetaInfo.
The WhatsApp enthusiast blog in early January revealed that the Facebook-owned company is looking to use Android's authentication system to better secure the app.
Users will enroll their fingerprint to their device, check a box that will activate the feature, and touch the sensor with that same finger to "unlock" the app.
Read more: The WhatsApp questions you were too embarrassed to ask, answered
According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is also working on an authentication method that uses Apple's Face ID and Touch ID...

This week, YouTube has highlighted its new community guidelines regarding internet challenge videos and pranks considered harmful and dangerous.
The guidelines now allows the company to remove videos that depict dangerous challenges or pranks, like the recently popular Bird Box Challenge, the Tide Pod challenge, or 2018's In My Feelings Challenge.
"Our Community Guidelines prohibit content that encourages dangerous activities that are likely to result in serious harm," the company said on its support website.
Channels who violate these guidelines will receive strikes against their names as well.
According to the company, any challenges that can or have caused death, or make victims believe they...

Zimbabwe's largest internet services provider Econet on Wednesday confirmed that it had halted users' internet access on government orders.
This comes after protests erupted across the country this week after a record fuel price increase was announced on Saturday.
Read more: #ShutdownZimbabwe: internet access disrupted amid protests
"We are obliged to act when directed to do so," the company told its customers.
Additionally, a screenshot of a now-deleted Facebook post made by Econet founder Strive Masiyiwa, spotted by Zimbabwean publication Techweez, confirmed that "failure to comply would result in three years imprisonment of local management".
Media watchdog MISA Zimbabwe also confirmed that Econet was...

Nearly half of Netflix's global user base will be paying a little bit more within the next three months, this after the streaming service announced a price increase in the US.
Its 58-million users within the country will now pay $1 more for its basic package, and $2 more for its HD and UHD streaming plans.
The cheapest package will now cost $9, with the other two priced at $13 and $16, respectively.
The price increase will also affect countries which are billed in US dollars, AP reports.
It's the first time since October 2017 that Netflix reviewed its pricing scheme in the...

Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures on Wednesday dropped a new teaser trailer for Spider-Man: Far From Home, setting up fans for a European based adventure.
The flick's teaser sees Peter Parker on a school trip that's abruptly commandeered by the likes of Nick Fury and nemesis Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal).
While the teaser seems fairly straight forward, it's got Twitter buzzing about where the movie fits within the MCU's timeline since the events of Avengers: Infinity War.
https://twitter.com/wearevnm/status/1085238453011447810
https://twitter.com/zkstrr/status/1085368605577863169
Tony Stark's notable absence also has many fans worried too.
https://twitter.com/domo__1300/status/1085272671263383554
https://twitter.com/MarvelNewz/status/1085431635913396224
But the concern isn't holding everyone back from being excited though.
https://twitter.com/ToilesHeroiques/status/1085273514775597058
https://twitter.com/itsjustanx/status/1085249934146920450
https://twitter.com/DemonHunterRick/status/1085441955948048384
*SPOILER FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T YET SEEN...

In its neverending quest to stay relevant while pleasing its users at the same time, Twitter on Tuesday announced the addition of a new button to its Android app.
Said button, located in the top right hand corner (essentially, the star cluster emoji), switches between the social network's two distinct feed styles: reverse chronological, and algorithmic.
https://twitter.com/Twitter/status/1085265146644058112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The feature was first added to iOS in mid-December, but has now made its way to Google's platform.
As for the community reception of the new feature?
In a case of "that's still not good enough for me", some users wanted the company to scrap its algorithmic...

When China landed its Chang'e 4 spacecraft on the far side of the Moon earlier this month, the country wasn't only set on planting its flag on the surface. Instead, it's interested in planting actual plants too.
On Tuesday, the Chinese National Space Administration announced that it has successfully sprouted a cotton seedling on the Moon's surface, this according to a South China Morning Post report.
It's the first time vegetation has grown on the natural satellite orbiting our planet.
There are a few things to point out though. For starters, the Chang'e 4 didn't dig a hole on the Moon, drop...

On Tuesday, personal care company Gillette posted a short film titled "We Believe: The Best a Man Can Be" to YouTube, which has sent the internet into meltdown.
The ad addresses issues of sexual harassment, toxic masculinity, bullying and abusive behaviour, calling for men to hold themselves and others accountable for their actions.
The video seemingly sends a message of respect and togetherness, addressing real issues in today's society. Despite this, the video has almost 250 000 dislikes on YouTube, while the hashtag #Gillette remains trending at number one on Twitter. And for all the wrong reasons.
The brand is now facing...

For many youngsters, their sporting icons are super heroes in their impressionable eyes. But it seems that the 2019 South African Super Rugby roster has taken that statement quite literally.
On Tuesday, SuperSport, Vodacom, Disney and SA Rugby unveiled Marvel-inspired super hero jerseys that will clad the Bulls, Lions, Sharks, and Stormers in this year's tournament.
https://twitter.com/VodacomRugga/status/1085121917781200896
Each team is backed by a different hero.
The Bulls will wear a Captain America style shirt (which looks pretty dope). The Lions will be supported by Spider-Man (which is a strange combination). The Sharks don a Black Panther suit complete with necklace. And finally, the...